The Best Chewy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
This simple recipe for The Best Chewy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies is perfect for anyone who loves the classic, nutty flavor of peanut butter. With no flour required, these flourless cookies come together in just 20–30 minutes, making them a quick and reliable choice for busy days or last-minute cravings.
Servings: cookies
Equipment
- 1 electric mxer
- 1 Cookie sheet
- 1 sheet parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter unsweetened (or "natural" style)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lining a prepared baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps with even baking.
- In a large bowl, mix the creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is smooth. You can use a stand mixer on medium speed or stir by hand with a wooden spoon.1 cup creamy peanut butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- Add in the large egg and baking soda, mixing until the dough is fully combined. The cookie dough will be thick and sticky, which is exactly what you want.1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into small balls (about 1 ½ tablespoons each). Roll them into cookie balls and place them on the cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- (Optional): If you like, flatten each cookie slightly with the tines of a fork in a criss-cross pattern. This classic look helps the cookies bake evenly and gives that familiar peanut butter cookie style.
- Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look slightly puffed. They should be golden brown but still soft in the center.
- Let them rest on the sheet pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
Add-ons & Substitutions
These flourless peanut butter cookies are flexible, so you can mix and match based on what you have:- Swap creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter for extra texture.
- Use almond butter for a peanut-free option.
- Stir in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped nuts before baking.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract or maple syrup for more depth of flavor.
Expert Tips
- Use creamy peanut butter, not natural peanut butter, for the best results. The oil in natural types can cause spreading.
- For chewy cookies, don’t overbake. Remove them while the centers still look a little soft.
- Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- A cookie scoop helps keep all the cookie dough balls the same size, so they bake evenly.
